The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-15
ECCENTRIC HENRY BLocHEK.
Looming Money for Long Terms and Giving
Away the PrincipaI-A Penurious Life.

wabash ffnd.e Letter in New York Herald.
The death of Henry Blocher, which occurred
few days ago. removes of the most ecceu-
trio characters in Indiana Blocher had pen
chant for loaning money. and. though worth
about $40, 900, lived like q beggar that he might
have the more money left to loan. Blocher was
of German parentage, and was born on Dec 10.
1907, in York county, Pennsylvania. He was of
numerous family, having Eve brothers aud Ave
sisters. Three of the sisters now alive and
two of the brothers, residing in Darke county,
Ohio. and Macoupin county Illinois. The fam
lily moved 20 Darke county Ohio. while the
children were yet young. There Henry grew to
manhood and married, receiving from mis- wife a
comfortable sum. which, with his rigid economy,
enabled him to begin the money -loaning bust
ness. Very little of this Was done prior to 1S45,
when Bloeher and his wife moved to this county
and settled in Dora, few miles east of this city.
Blocher's first loans were for thirty-t three
years. the sums varying from 1000 to So, 600,
secured by mortgage, the interest rate being
per cent, payable annually in advance. iron
clad clause always inserted in the mortgage.
giving Blocher the right to foreclosure in case
the interest in each case was not paid in ad-
vance, the day named. In but few instances
did BUcher have the opportunity to avail him
self OF this privilege, as his debtors were very
careful to avoid such contingency by paying
promptly. The most interesting we'll pc
culiar clause in most of Blochers instruments
reads like this:
In consideration of the prompt payment of
the interest this debt annually when due,
this mortgage shall be Cancelled and the obliga-
ton removed at the expiration Of the time for
which all the notes are given"
BlocherS idea seemed to be to make the notes
for period long enough to bring him back
their face in interest, which he immediatelysfe-
loaned.
Blocher's fame a moneylende spread in all
directions, and his cash eagerly sought
The economy in living practced by Blocher was
a constant source of wonder to his neigh bora.
who marveled at his closeness, but Henry stuck
fast to the old adage, Take care of the pennies
and the dollars will take of themselves"
that his wife was obliged to take in washing in
order to secure q suitable supply of clothing. 1t
Is not known that she was starved to DEATH but
the food which Henry provided for himself
would have been barely sufficient to sustain
less robust mortal
Mrs. Blocher died about twenty years age, and
the widower subsequently, removed to Camden,
Carroll county. where, in 1878, he married again.
In 1882 Bloeher was once more bereft of his COM
panion. He had children by either wife.
After the demise of wife No 2 BLOCKER became
sort of Wandering jew, with no permanent hab-
itation. HIS bearing and manner of living were
decidedly more like that of common tramp
than man of wealth and leisure
Blochers entire fortune of $40 600 was loaned
out yielding him income of So. 500 year.
his expenses were probably but little over forty
cents day, leaving him s.. bo0 to loan annually
The miser lived around among Dunkards to
which sect he belonged, but about all he craved
was lodging, his food usually consisting of cold
coffee taken from a long bottle carried in his
waistcoat, and pieces of black bread wrapped in
a newspaper.
It is'related here that recently Blocher called
on his friend Frank Eagle, of this city. Be
fore leaving, the guest, who had just refused
invitation to dine with the family, requested
Mrs Engle, with whom he was we'll acquainted.
to toast him some bread. The lady selected a
liberal slice, and, after browning it beautiful
tar color to suit Biochers taste. handed it to
him
II am very much obliged to YOU. Mrs. Eagle"
said the grateful recipient. he slid the morsel
under his vest. That pretty we'll DONE
but it would have suited me better had il been
little b1acker"
Blocher had sandy hair. was of slender build,
weighing but 100 pounds. aud very much
hnytt ,1,ar f,,r
collar, invariably in winter and summer, and
his punched face gave painful evidence of lack
of nourishment.
Mr.. Ed Harter. we'll known business man
here, we'll acquainted with Blocher. and has
given the Herald correspondent considerable
insight into his habits and manner of doing bust
A few years ago Mr. Harter purchased
the kautz farm. north of this CITY. which
there was mortgage for 81, 200, held by Blorher.
Mr.. Harter assumed the obligation. The notes
were made contrary to Biocher's usual custom.
There were tbirty-two notes of 800 each. the
first being due in and the last in thirty two
yWArs. Abort 81. QUO was due then Mr.. Harter
made the purchase, and he offered to take all
the notes and pay the principal. Blocher
fused this offer. but this spring ne MIR. Har-
aad insisted the immediate payment OF
the notes The two walked TO the First
National Bank. where the notes were deposited,
and Harter explained that it not then
venient to pay the notes. but that he would pay
some $3.50 the amount he had on deposit at the
time. Blocher refused, and threatened TO sue
Harter, who calmly drew out the amount of de-
posir credited il upon the back of the notes and
walked off, leaving the $3.50 under Blochers
a few months later Mr. Harter had occasion to
pass the bank, when he observed Bloeher. with
his feet in the window sill. calmly slipping coffee
from his bottle and munching black bread.
You will be arrested for public drinking
observed Mr. Harter
81 am the poor mans friend" quoth Blocher
Il loan money on sixteen years time at per
cent and give away the principal"
Blocher had great confidence in his friends.
Years ago he drew 81. 500 out of q Huntington
bank where he had deposited it awaiting a
loan, and placed the amount in James White
sides bank at Logansport In q short time
Whitesides bank failed and Blocher lost all
Since the death of his last wife Blocher has
evinced a decided fondnsss for the opposite sex,
which, in many cases, not appreciated. A
well-known maiden lady. living in the north part
of the city. has suffered from his unwelcome
attentions About two years ago Blocher met
the lady and was smtten with her. but was yet
skeptical as he made the novel request of the
ladvs relatives that he be allowed to live in the
family two three weeks to see how he liked
her and to satisfy himself that the lady would
be suitable life companion. The generous offer
refused. Last winter Blocher drove up to the
ladys- house in a bus and insisted seeing
her. evidently with matrimonial designs He
told that the lady was sick, but Blocher was
determined on attaining his object, and it was
finally necessary to shut the door in his face.
He also called another lady in town with sim
liar designs, and the family finally found it
necessary to send for the police before they
could Get rid of their amorous visitor, who wooed
with sill the ardor OF young blood. With one
foot in the grave he was not content to live with
ont wife, provided he could fiud one willing to
live in the same misery fashion.
Daniel Blocher. of this county. brother of the
deceased. has taken steps toward being made ad-
minis traitor of Henry's estate.
Mr.. III. 3. Shveiy, of this city, has just made
a visit to the place where Henry died, in com
pany with Daniel Blocher. Mr.. Shively has
given the Herald all the facts at his command IN
reference to the eccentric money lender Blocher
died at the home of John kineery. near Bring
hurst, Carroll county, on the Vandalia railway.
Kingery is Dunkard and had taken Blocher in
d. H. ,snf -
kindness to old friend All of Blocher's effects
at kineery's were contained in a couple of little
black trunks, which were unlocked. These in
cluded few miscellaneous articles and about
twenty mortgage notes, some of which have sew
eral years yet to run. The principal al of
the notes is to be cancelled at the expiration OF the
time for which they drawn. 1t has been
commonly understood that Blocher made loans,
the principals OF which were to be cancelled by